A combination of calorie restriction and exercise (when adhered to) appears to be more effective rather than either one alone. Sticking to a weight reduction program is difficult and requires much support from family members and friends.

Contact your health care provider if you or your child appear to be excessively obese or are gaining weight at an extremely rapid rate. Remember that catching the problem early is much simpler than trying to fix it after the person has gained an excessive amount of weight.

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. A dietary and exercise regimen may also be prescribed.

Medical history questions documenting morbid obesity in detail may include:

• Family history
  • Were any other family members excessively heavy?
  • Was a disorder diagnosed as a cause of obesity in any other family member?
• Dietary history (complete history of eating habits as well as types and amounts of food eaten)
• Other symptoms
  • Is there difficulty breathing?
  • Does the person wake up often at night?
  • Does the person appear tired or sleepy during the daytime?

Physical examination:

A thorough physical examination will be done to determine if there is any medical cause for the obesity. Height and weight will be plotted on a chart to help determine the degree of obesity.

Diagnostic tests:

Body fat content can be determined by special studies. Your health care provider may want to obtain tests for thyroid disorders.

After seeing your health care provider:

You should try your best to adhere to the diet and exercise regimen provided.

Review Date: 06/03/2005
Reviewed By: Thomas A. Owens, M.D., Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)